QLC Memory with SLC Performance: A New NAND Technology Is In the Works
SSDs with quad-level cell NAND memory are slowly getting accepted, however, there are certain disadvantages to using them. In addition to the reduced lifespan, the write speed is slower a certain extent as well.
Neo Semiconductor, claims to have developed a technology that will allow NAND memory with four bits per cell to operate at the same speeds as single-level cell ICs. The company claims in a white paper that it can attain the speeds of slc-nand at the same chip costs as qlc memory while maintaining the same size of the chip. When compared to mlc (two bits per cell), the data density per package is equivalent, albeit the researchers do not specifically specify how many bits per cell are stored.
"Technological leaps have a history of driving innovation, so the expectations for NAND flash memory becoming faster by more than one order of magnitude are high," said Andy Hsu, founder and CEO at Neo Semiconductor Inc. "Imagine the possibilities when X-NAND QLC flash memory offers higher bandwidth than conventional SLC flash memory."
Its X-NAND design divides 3D flash memory into 16-64 planes rather than the usual 4. With no increase in production costs. Sequential read and write rates may rise by a factor of 27 times and 15 times, respectively, as compared to the current state of the technology. A smaller chip surface area and lower power consumption are both required at the same time (to achieve the same capacity). Furthermore, the production costs should be at or below the level of those for qlc memory. It is not yet known how well the concept would perform in more demanding and longer-lasting jobs, but TLC and QLC chips, according to the developers, would profit from the approach.
In our believe key to this all would be endurance. Higher transfer rates in situations that benefit from them may result in more wear, which may result in lower reliability. The company says it is currently in discussions with NAND manufacturers about potential partnership opportunities and that it already has 22 patents in-house.
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Now we will have large volume with acceptable speed and price...
The last problem is still lifespan.
A step in the good way.
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Now we will have large volume with acceptable speed and price...
The last problem is still lifespan.
A step in the good way.
Lifespan hasn't been a problem with ssd's since the first OCZ ssd's

Enteprise is buying enteprise, if they want "unlimited" writes. Desktop, there is almost no way to use all the writes, even on QLC ssd's. IF you are using up all the writes on a QLC ssd, you bought the wrong SSD. Simple

I'm using Optane 900/905p for all my pc's for OS and programs. I don't use it for the insane writes, but for the 4k random read @QD=1. I will never downgrade to a normal ssd for OS/programs. Optane is just too good for my use.
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Epic news, this is more exciting to me than ultra fast nvme drives because speed in real life scenarios does not provide the benefits one can expect. Regarding life span, OCZ Agility 3 that bought in 2011 has outlived 4 PC builds and still working to this day in an office as a boot drive. Smart test reports high level of degradation but it's fine

Reflecting on HDD's that I used for over ten years, they were getting slower, louder and all I wanted is to throw them away as soon as possible

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Posts: 3372
Joined: 2007-05-31
Lifespan hasn't been a problem with ssd's since the first OCZ ssd's

Enteprise is buying enteprise, if they want "unlimited" writes. Desktop, there is almost no way to use all the writes, even on QLC ssd's. IF you are using up all the writes on a QLC ssd, you bought the wrong SSD. Simple

I'm using Optane 900/905p for all my pc's for OS and programs. I don't use it for the insane writes, but for the 4k random read @QD=1. I will never downgrade to a normal ssd for OS/programs. Optane is just too good for my use.
It's not due to a brand, entreprise or not, but to the type of NAND used SLC, MLC, TLC or QLC (from fast/reliable/small volume/expensive to the oposite).
For entreprise you use SLC or MLC, for home all other...
On top of that some company consider that TLC and QLC are MLC (as the M mean Multiple, T triple and Q quad) it's half lie... but still a lie as for a pro use you will found their limit earlier than a real MLC(exemple: latest Samsung Pro)
For home use TLC is fine, but i think QLC is flirting too much with the limit (already destroyed some in heavy use)...
The good point of QLC is that they make price go down, and made realistic to move from a HDD 4to to SSD 4to for (relatively of course) not too much...
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so they made four quad cells perform like one single cell
incredible